The AFC Championship was supposed to be a 'joke'. The Steelers were supposed to walk all over the Patriots, and then they were supposed to go on to have a good chance of winning the Super Bowl. The key word here is 'supposed'.

The fact is that they didn't walk all over the Patriots. In fact, considering that the QB was injured in the first half, the Patriots played an amazing game.

The Patriots also have an advantage next week in that they can keep who the starting quarterback will be as a secret until game time. That means that St. Louis has to prepare for two very different styles of offense, and will be less prepared for the one they face.

You can't count the Patriots out of this. They went in to Pittsburgh, and they won at a hostile stadium and stunned the Steelers fans.

Next week's game is going to be a lot better and a lot closer than you predict.

[quote]Originally posted by Fran441:
<strong>To the last three posters:

The AFC Championship was supposed to be a 'joke'. The Steelers were supposed to walk all over the Patriots, and then they were supposed to go on to have a good chance of winning the Super Bowl. The key word here is 'supposed'.

The fact is that they didn't walk all over the Patriots. In fact, considering that the QB was injured in the first half, the Patriots played an amazing game.

The Patriots also have an advantage next week in that they can keep who the starting quarterback will be as a secret until game time. That means that St. Louis has to prepare for two very different styles of offense, and will be less prepared for the one they face.

You can't count the Patriots out of this. They went in to Pittsburgh, and they won at a hostile stadium and stunned the Steelers fans.

Next week's game is going to be a lot better and a lot closer than you predict.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Well said, Fran. After hearing all week about how the Pats had absolutely no chance against the Steelers, thinking about how much money must have been lost of the AFC title game still brings a smile to my face.

<img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />

To paraphrase Chris Berman, ya don't bet against the team on a winning streak!

Fran- I think Bledsoe would be a better choice. Superbowl history shows experience at QB to be a big advantage.
The winning formula is usually one dominant unit (huge offense or defense) or a great quarterback with much playoff seasoning.

The 'problem' with Bledsoe is that he's played 1/2 of a game since the beginning of the season. He played well yesterday, but considering how much Brady did for the team, and how far they got with him, it would be a shame to not have him start.

The Patriots also have an advantage next week in that they can keep who the starting quarterback will be as a secret until game time. That means that St. Louis has to prepare for two very different styles of offense, and will be less prepared for the one they face.
</strong><hr></blockquote>

Good point. I didn't even think of this.
I don't know the extent of brady's injury, except that it was supposed to be an ankle one, in which those are very hard to recover from.

Fran441, the Patriots are still riding their incredible lucky streak. Well, the Vegas guys are putting the spread at 14 points in favor of the Rams. I predict it will be even more lopsided. 20-21 points.

Well, I believe the Rams will win.
However, I'll be pulling for the Partriots to win because I'm a big NY Giant fan and the Patriots head coach used to coach the NY Giants Defense. While he was there, they had an awsome defense most of the time. Another reason I want the Pats to win is that I can't stand the owner of the Rams.